While at the annual pre-4th of July gathering with my immediate and extended family, several (8 members) of us who are avid bowhunters exchanged hunting and gear related stories as we always do. This time, a nephew who has been living away for the last 4 years and took up bowhunting only 2 years ago, was present.

All but one of us shoot older compound bows (8-13 years old), and simple but reliable and durable gear. One shooter changes bows and accessories each time the wind changes direction. Each time he changes a piece of gear, what was previously the best piece of gear he had ever used, now takes a back seat to his new " stuff," the best he (now) has ever used. Additionally, he is a " zoomy" and is always striving to get an arrow to reach supersonic speeds, and is heavy into talking about his new trick gear. He also shoots a high draw-weight

The nephew that just took up bowhunting two years ago (he has hunted big game mostly a high-powered rifle) was not sure if he would like hunting with a bow, or could learn to use a bow. Therefore, he bought an older used " High Country" double-cam 55-70 lb bow. The bow came with a dozen 2317 aluminum telephone poles (arrows) that matched his draw length and were mounted with unused Muzzys, a simple " TM" bullhorn rest, and an in-line pin sight. Although the seller had previously tried to get $150.00 for the set, my nephew paid $50.00 for the set.

Nephew took the bow to a shop, had it checked for flaws. Shop said bow had hardly been shot. Shop only changed the string and installed a new peep. Nephew had the shafts revaned and purchased a " Cobra" mech release. Altogether, he has $85.00 invested in the bow and gear. He had the bow chronoed and found he was shooting 230 to 240 fps, depending on draw-weight he was using He then practiced and read and asked and practiced until he felt he could accurately shoot from varied heights and forms and make a killing hit out to 50 yards..

Most of us bowhunters in the " family" are good bowhunters and have average to better than average success. However, one extended family member, whom is a better than average shooter in 3D competition, is always having to tweak his gear, often has gear failure or bad gear performance in and out of the field, and misses shots in the field more than any of the rest of us.

Another family member regularly kills black bear, caribou, and moose in Alaska. In fact, just a few hours ago, he gave me a large moose steak and a roll of moose sausage. In addition, I have also watched a video of one of his black bear hunts. The bear was 25 yards away when the bear was hit. The big arrow hit the bear like he had been hit with a slug and took his lungs and heart out. He was recovered 50 yards from where he was hit. On one occasion, he (family member) took a caribou on a 50-yard shot.

Can anyone guess which shooter using what gear is killing black bear, caribou, and moose? What is the moral of this story?